Grammy nominated vocalist, songwriter and producer Taali unveils her new video for “Is It Right?” today in BUST Magazine. Directed by Dutch rising star Lyon Pol the video was filmed both in Giverny (the European homebase of legendary impressionists Claude Monet and Mary Cassatt) and on the shore of the Hudson overlooking Manhattan's skyline. Shot entirely on film, the video offers a beautiful, sometimes haunting and introspective glimpse into the experience of an artist grappling with uncertainty.

Essay by Taali
Photos by Janette Beckman
Directed by Lyon Pol
DP Joseph DiGiovanna

Taali also begins her first headlining European tour next week in the following cities:

May 24 - Brussels, AB

May 26 - Paris, Sunset-Sunside

May 28 - Amsterdam, Paradiso

Skip the roses and the chocolates: This Valentine's Taali encourages us to consider a more worthy subject of affection, the female best friend. But this isn’t any ordinary sappy friend song: Silver Bullet (Song for Sima), carries the gravity of a Grammy nominated songwriter fully stepping into her prime. Weaving a fiercely unique tapestry with nods to Cat Power, Paul McCartney and Laura Nyro, Taali’s newest (in honor of Joni Mitchell’s “Song For Sharon”), dives into female companionship with cutting lyrical presence and honesty. This is Galentine’s Day updated for 2023, a moment to take stock and honor the connection to your best friend.

Taali - vocals, synths
Ben Williams - bass
Dustin Kaufman - drums

Produced by Talia Billig, Brian Bender
Recorded by Brian Bender at Mother Brain West and Lily Wen at Figure 8 Studios
Mixed by Brian Bender at Mother Brain West
Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios
Vocal arrangement by Taali

Cover photo by unknown
Cover design by Talia Billig

Listen here: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/silver-bullet

Surrounding album taali is now available for preorder here: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/taalilp

We didn’t know Taali could rock this hard, but we’re so glad that she did. From the thunderous opening drum break of "It Comes For You" to the ferocious synth ear worm that forms the song’s core, Taali takes us on a late night emotional ride along through the wreckage of post-pandemic 2022. Waves of shifting synths and shimmering vocal choirs give (head banging) nods to Nirvana, Beach House and St. Vincent as Taali explores the peaks and valleys of experiencing - and ultimately overcoming - our collective trauma.

Taali - vocals, synths
Ben Williams - bass
Dustin Kaufman - drums
Brian Bender - synths

Produced by Talia Billig, Brian Bender
Recorded by Brian Bender at Mother Brain West, Lily Wen at Figure 8 Studios and Talia Billig at Rainbow Blonde Amsterdam
Mixed by Brian Bender at Mother Brain West
Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios

Cover photo by José James
Cover design by Talia Billig

Listen here: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/itcomesforyou

Surrounding album taali is now available for preorder here: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/taalilp

Photo by José James, design by Taali

Following on the heels of her 2021 Grammy nomination, Taali delivers “Is It Right?” the first single from her strikingly ambitious self-titled sophomore album. The song, written in the epicenter of the 2020 NYC COVID pandemic as Taali narrowly skirted death herself, reflects on what was lost and looks to the future. Produced by Taali and Brian Bender its sweeping universe of synths, drums and layered vocals nod to Beck, St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens. 

Listen/Buy: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/isitright

Produced by Taali and Brian Bender
Taali - vocals, synths, piano
Ben Williams - bass
Dustin Kaufman - drums
Brian Bender - guitar, synths
Recorded by Brian Bender at The Motherbrain West, LA and Lily Wen at Figure 8 Studios, Brooklyn
Mixed by Brian Bender at The Motherbrain West, LA
Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios
Photo by José James
Design by Taali

Rainbow Blonde Records announces its first US tour featuring label stars Taali, Ben Williams and José James. With a collective of innovative musicians (including keyboardist Big Yuki, guitarist Marcus Machado and drummer Jharis Yokley), RB Live showcases the fearless visionary spirit of a label dedicated to the best in R&B, indie pop and jazz.

“Rainbow Blonde is about freedom of expression,” says James. “Every artist on this label has something unique and powerful to say and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”

Label co-founder and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter/producer Taali will debut new songs from her forthcoming album “taali.” (out Sept 9th). The self-titled album is a stunning combination of both her NYC singer-songwriter roots and her LA indie pop sensibilities, referencing artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Regina Spektor, Beck and Joni Mitchell. Created between New York, LA, Sfinari and Amsterdam, the album reveals the vision of a world traveler, exploring hard-won personal revelations through a landscape of exquisitely woven synths, strings and pristine vocals

Grammy Award winning bassist and vocalist Ben Williams will perform songs from his Rainbow Blonde debut “I Am A Man.” The album boasts a humid and hazy sound that recalls Soulaquarian albums released by The Roots, Erykah Badu, Bilal, D’Angelo, Common, and Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor. “I wanted to make this not just a musical statement, but sonically, I wanted to dig into a different sound. I wanted this record to deal with the past, present, and future,” Williams says. On I Am A Man, he makes a grand departure from the mostly acoustic instrumental settings of his previous albums and brings his love for modern R&B and hip-hop and his socio-political awareness to the fore with mesmerizing vocal-centric songs that will surely raise his profile higher in modern soul and rap circles. 

Closing out the night, José James will perform songs from his album “No Beginning No End 2,” a future soul classic featuring collaborations with Aloe Blacc, Ledisi, Lizz Wright and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. “I’ve waited a long time to share this music with my fans” says James. “But it’s worth the wait: This is the right moment for this music and for this label.”

Tour dates:

6.09 – DC, City Winery | Tickets

6.10 – Philly, City Winery | Tickets

6.11 – Portsmouth, NH Jimmy’s on Congress | (Tickets available 3/27/22)

6.12 – Boston, City Winery | Tickets

Taali will be releasing her appropriately titled, “When Did The World Start Ending?” March 12, 2021. Recorded live at Levon Helm Studios, the album encompasses Taali’s work in a deeply honest and vulnerable state.

Listen to the first single: rainbowblonde.co/endofworld

“When Did The World Start Ending?” is a necessary relic of a fraught time. A songwriter in the truest sense of the word, Taali confidently connects the dots between the urgency of the late 60’s/70’s folk explosion & the modern cutting-edge expression of artists like Sufjan Stevens and St. Vincent. Deeply immersive, thoughtful and poignant, Taali’s sweeping live album rises to the creative & energetic pitch of 2020, expressing both the deep pain of a city’s loss & an optimistic path forward.

Preorder on digital and CD: https://rainbowblonde.co/whendidtheworldstartendingpreorder

Tracklisting:
Live at Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock

1. Whenever You’re Ready (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
2. When Did The World Start Ending? (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
3. That Song About The Midway (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
4. Wayward Star (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
5. Champagne and Fires (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
6. Climb (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
7. To Be With You (feat. José James) (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
8. What Are You Afraid Of? (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
9. Los Angeles (Live at Levon Helm Studios)
10. Ruti (Live at Levon Helm Studios)

Recorded live at Levon Helm Studios on August 13th, 2020 by Pete Hanlon
Mixed by Brian Bender at The Motherbrain West, LA
Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios

Photos by Janette Beckman
Design by Hayden Miller

Prolific singer, composer and producer Taali releases her EP “Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out?” today on Rainbow Blonde Records. Her newest work examines the complex dynamic of female friendship, including its potential and deeply painful dissolution. It follows 2019’s EP Were Most of Your Stars Out?, an acoustic collection filled with unparalleled honesty, expressive lyricism and vulnerable fragility. The titles both borrow from Salingers' "Seymour an Introduction," to complete a quoted phrase that informs Taali's entire creative life: "Were most of your stars out? Were you busy writing your heart out?"

Listen / Buy here: https://rainbowblonde.lnk.to/heartout

Taali releases her haunting new single “Kol Haolam Kulo” today on Rainbow Blonde Records. Amidst a climate of fear, uncertainty and increasing worldwide Antisemitism, “Kol Haolam Kulo” is a much needed rallying cry. Taali interprets the two line prayer with an appropriately sparse arrangement of simply juno synth and vocals.

Her voice ascends, as she sings its pertinent message:

The whole world is a very narrow bridge // And the main thing is to have no fear at all.
כל העולם כלו
גשר צר מאד
והעקר לא לפחד כלל

Out worldwide. Listen/buy here: https://rainbowblonde.lnk.to/kolhaolamkulo

In the midst of global tumult, Taali shares a timely cover of Jackson Browne's “These Days” today. Debuted on Brightest Young Things, it features beautiful celestial vocals & live intertwined synthesizers à la Imogen Heap. Taali explains the track:

“As a songwriter, "These Days" is hallowed ground. It is dangerously close to (if not included in!) that list of songs you're not allowed to cover. Right up there with Aretha's "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," Prince's "Purple Rain," The Beatles' "Let It Be," etc. Though it has been covered to death, Nico's version of the song grabbed me first. I remember hearing it at 15 years old. Her subtle, enigmatically emotional delivery spoke to my soul. 

15 years later, with a litany of my own experience to finally sing to, I played this song live at Joe's Pub in NYC, and knew immediately that it had to be a release on our label. I wrote a synthesizer line and choral interlude instead of using Nico's iconic guitar part. I tried to honor Jackson Browne's spirit of repetition, resignation, and understanding in the hollow arrangement. And I think it's the closest I've come to objective musical truth. I really don't do that much talking these days. I "wonder," constantly, "If I'll see another highway." I have no idea how Jackson Browne got that sentiment so right at 16 years old, but he deserves all the medals for it. I have now lived inside and outside of the song, and couldn't not cover it. I'm grateful to have it both to listen to and to sing ... a modern day musician's prayer.”

Taali’s cover follows soaring first single "What Are You Afraid Of?" off her Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out? EP, coming May 15 on Rainbow Blonde Records -- a label and worldwide collective the artist runs with creative partner R&B/jazz vocalist José James and engineer/producer Brian Bender. She’ll also be opening for José James on tour this summer - dates below & here.

Tour Dates

5/7: Evanston, IL @ SPACE*

6/23: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom*

6/25: Washington, DC @ The Hamilton Live*

*w/ José James

Prolific chamber-pop singer/songwriter Taali today shares a soaring new single confronting fears and weakness, "What Are You Afraid Of?" It’s off her newly announced Were You Busy Writing Your Heart Out? EP coming May 15 on Rainbow Blonde Records. She’ll also be opening for José James on tour next month - dates below & here. 

Listen / Share: "What Are You Afraid Of?"

This new EP examines the complex dynamic of female friendship, including its potential and deeply painful dissolution. It follows 2019’s EP Were Most of Your Stars Out?, an acoustic collection filled with unparalleled honesty, expressive lyricism and vulnerable fragility. The titles of both EPs borrow from J.D. Salinger's "Seymour an Introduction," to complete a quoted phrase that informs Taali's entire creative life: "Were most of your stars out? Were you busy writing your heart out?"

After a transcendent Ep release show at the acclaimed Joe’s Pub, Taali releases her acoustic EP, “Were Most Of Your Stars Out?” An intimate collection of 7 songs, the EP is a brilliant chance to hear Taali in her native element: as a songwriter. She continues with dates on the west coast in Denver and Los Angeles.

11.9 - Denver
11.10 - Los Angeles

Listen everywhere here

Chamber-pop singer/songwriter Taali has released her newest single “Wayward Star”. The delicate Fender Rhodes-led tune is a placid refrain about what it’s like to be truly yourself with someone, and let down your guard, “specifically, to be with someone who had been through as much as me was a new challenge, and also a new beauty,” Taali says behind the inspiration. Her Were Most Of Your Stars Out? EP is due out this Friday on Rainbow Blonde Records.

Stream / Share “Wayward Star”

In celebration of release day on Friday, November 8, Taali will be holding a Global Listening Party via a Spotify enabled chatroom at 11am PST / 2pm EST for users all over the world to collectively stream her new music, talk with one another, and ask questions. Taali was also recently featured on AdoramaTV’s episodic series Beyond the Sound, where she performed her empowering debut single "Hear You Now" with a special, handpicked collective choir of women.

Debuted by KCRW today, Taali has unveiled an intimate duet “Snowfall on Orchard” featuring her creative partner R&B/jazz vocalist José James. The breathtaking song is the second single off her forthcoming Were Most Of Your Stars Out? EP due out November 8 via Rainbow Blonde Records, a label and worldwide collective she runs with José James, and engineer and producer Brian Bender. Taking after fearless piano-led lead single “Los Angeles”, the EP is an entirely acoustic collection filled with unparalleled honesty, expressive lyricism and vulnerable fragility. Taali will be performing live across the US with stops in New York City, Denver, and Los Angeles.

Behind the inspiration, Taali shares, “‘Snowfall on Orchard’ and its surrounding EP, ‘Were Most Of Your Stars Out?’ honor where I come from, where I've journeyed, and where I've landed. I wrote "Snowfall on Orchard" with José in Manhattan, during a blizzard. It was and remains a transparent, dreamy accounting of the beginning of a love affair. After I wrote the song, I settled in Los Angeles for two years, where my writing and creativity exploded. Los Angeles (the current worldwide capital of songwriting, in my opinion), shaped my sound and it shaped my soul. We founded our record label with Brian Bender in Atwater Village, and now run the label as a bicoastal venture. The song grounds us in the city we wrote and recorded it (NYC), and the city where it was mixed and released (LA).”

We’re thrilled to announce that Taali’s debut album “I Am Here” is available on all platforms and has already been met with a beautiful response. We’re so thankful to be able to share it with you. Listen on all platforms here.

“Full of thoughtfulness, genuine intentions, powerful imagery, and airy harmonies, the 15-track (I Am Here), is proof that Taali and her much needed positivity, are here to stay.”

— Bust

“I Am Here is a triumphant rallying cry for those seeking out healing, power, and connection. The whole album feels like an out of body experience from another perspective. Whatever darkness you’re in, Taali sheds a light of hope in I Am Here.”

— B Sides TV

“I Am Here released today on Rainbow Blonde Records (co-founded by Taali herself alongside José James), is a fittingly anthemic introduction to her avant-garde electro-pop enchantica. Full of drama, cinematism, and downright scorching vocal hooks, Taali’s new single breathes new life into a genre often over-saturated with sugary club bangers and lack-of-substance. ”

— BORN Music

In the video for “Hear You Now” directed by Rainbow Blonde collective member Maddie Deutch, “Empowerment is the theme and subject.”